GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – The ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD sent its nomination at the last minute to world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who had filed his candidacy for congressman of Sarangani, but this was snubbed by the Filipino boxing hero.

Minvelez Gulle, legal counsel and spokesperson of Pacquiao’s People’s Champ Movement (PCM), revealed that Lakas-Kampi nominated Pacquiao to be its standard bearer in Sarangani province’s congressional race, on Nov. 26 but only informed Pacquiao about it on Dec. 1.

“The nomination was dated Nov. 26 and was handed to us by the staff of Governor Migs Dominguez on December 1 at the provincial capitol during the last day of filing of the certificate of candidacy. But Pacquiao did not accept the nomination,” Gulle said.

When asked why Pacquiao snubbed the nomination, Gulle explained: “The public knows what’s going on in this country and the many scandals bugging the present leadership.”

The issue was not immediately made public because there were negotiations between Pacquiao and Sarangani Gov. Miguel Dominguez, the Lakas-Kampi-CMD national president.

According to Gulle, Pacquiao was also trying to negotiate that Sarangani Province be declared a free zone, meaning no candidate would be declared as Lakas-Kampi official bets particularly in the congressional race.

Pacquiao is a former member of the President’s political party, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi.

However, Gulle claimed, Pacquiao felt that the other camp did not show sincerity in the talks and that it deliberately delayed its nomination of Pacquiao.

Shortly after his grand birthday bash on Thursday, Pacquiao took his oath as Nacionalista Party’s official bet for the congressional race in Sarangani.